Mine-releasing device



Nov. 10,1925. 1,5 1,334

H. J. LEIBLE MINE RELEASING DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1 24 WII W mm wm HarryJ: Leib g Patented Nov. 10, 1925.

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HARRY J. LEIBLE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

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Application filed October 3, 1924. Serial N0. 741,499

To (ZZZ whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY J. LEIBLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in aMine-Releasing'Device, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to a mine releasing device and an object of theinvention is to provide a device which may be drawn through the water bya mine sweeper or similar ship and will cut the cable which connects theexplosive mines to their mooring anchors and permit the mines to rise tothe surface of the water, so they may be picked up by the ship or minesweeper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mine releasing device asspecified, which is designed so as to eliminate the liability ofaccident of premature explosion of the mine, and also one which may bedrawn behind the ship sufficiently far to prevent accident to the shipshould the mine accidentally explode.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as specifiedwhich includes a suitable floating body provided with fins, the forwardone of which has a plurality of cutters thereon for cutting mooringcables of mines.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following detaildescription, and in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan of the improved mine releasing device.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the mine releasing device. 1

Figure 3 is a detail section on line of Figure 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the improved mine releasingdevice includes a cylindrical body 1, the bow or nose 2 which issubstantially conical and the tail end 3 which gradually decreases indiameter. The body 1 has horizontal tail fins 5 attached thereto whichare set at an angle of substantially 10 degrees to the horizontal, so asto keep the tubular body 1 from rising to the surface of the waterduring the travel of the mine releasing device. A vertical fin 6 is alsoattached to the tail end of body 1, and this vertical fin is set at anangle of substantially 15 degrees to the left of the.

vertical so as to guide the body 1 away from theside of the ship whichis pulling the device.

The bow or front fin 7 which is relatively long is provided, and it isconnected to the cylindrical body 1 by the braces 8 and it is recessedas shown at 9 to receive the nose 2 of the cylindrical body therein.

A lug or shackle 10 is attached to the fin 7 and a towing cable 11 isattached to the log or shackle 10, which cable is adapted for attachmentof any convenient point on the towing ship.

A plurality of rotary cutters 12 are rotatably carried by the bow fin 7,and they have their edges serrated and sharpened, the edge of one cutteroverlapping the edges or peripheries of the adjacent cutters. The dragon the mine releasing device will cast the cable to be engaged betweentwo of the cutters which is severed for releasing the mine to permit itto float to the surface. The fin 7 is provided with cutout notches 18therein aligning with the overlapping portions of the cutters so as topermit unimpeded action of the cutters on a holding cable.

A band 1a is mounted about body 1, intermediate its ends, and a sling 15is detachably connected to the band 1 1 in any suitable manner. A cable16 is connected to the sling 15 and is adapted to be connected to anyconvenient place on a towing ship, preferably to a boom extending overthe side of the ship, so as to keep the mine releasing device clear ofthe ships side while underway.

In operation, the releasing device is comparatively simple. It isdropped overboard from a towing ship and sinks sufficiently deep in thewater to engage the holding cables of mines, and as the ship movesthrough the water, the holding cables of the mine will be engaged by thecutters 12 which will sever the cables and permit the mine to rise tothe surface, where it may be picked up by the ship.

It is, of course, to be understood, that the invention may beconstructed in various other manners and the parts associated indifierent relations, and therefore, I do not desire to be limited in anymanner, except as set forth in the claim hereunto appended.

What I claim is In a mine releasing device, a cylindrical body, tailfins thereon, a bow fin, a towing cable, connected to the boW fin, and aplurality of rotary cutters carried at the for- 5 ward edge of the bowfin, said cutters having serrated periineters; the cutting perimeterswith one cutter overlapping the cutting perimeter of the cutter nextthereto, said bow fin being recessed beneath the overlapping portion ofthe cutters, a strap about said 10 body, and a guiding cable connectedto said strap.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARRY J. LEIBLE.

